9:1 On October 31 the people returned for another observance. This time they fasted and dressed in sackcloth and sprinkled dust on their heads.
The NLT Book of Nehemiah , Chapter 9 , Verse 1 , On October 31 the people returned for another observance. This time they fasted and dressed in sackcloth and sprinkled dust on their heads.
9:2 Those of Israelite descent separated themselves from all foreigners as they confessed their own sins and the sins of their ancestors.
The NLT Book of Nehemiah , Chapter 9 , Verse 2 , Those of Israelite descent separated themselves from all foreigners as they confessed their own sins and the sins of their ancestors.
9:3 The Book of the Law of the LORD their God was read aloud to them for about three hours. Then for three more hours they took turns confessing their sins and worshiping the LORD their God.
The NLT Book of Nehemiah , Chapter 9 , Verse 3 , The Book of the Law of the LORD their God was read aloud to them for about three hours. Then for three more hours they took turns confessing their sins and worshiping the LORD their God.
9:4 Some of the Levites were standing on the stairs, crying out to the LORD their God. Their names were Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Kenani.
The NLT Book of Nehemiah , Chapter 9 , Verse 4 , Some of the Levites were standing on the stairs, crying out to the LORD their God. Their names were Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Kenani.
9:5 Then the leaders of the Levites--Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah--called out to the people: 'Stand up and praise the LORD your God, for he lives from everlasting to everlasting!' Then they continued, 'Praise his glorious name! It is far greater than we can think or say.
The NLT Book of Nehemiah , Chapter 9 , Verse 5 , Then the leaders of the Levites--Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah--called out to the people: 'Stand up and praise the LORD your God, for he lives from everlasting to everlasting!' Then they continued, 'Praise his glorious name! It is far greater than we can think or say.
9:6 You alone are the LORD. You made the skies and the heavens and all the stars. You made the earth and the seas and everything in them. You preserve and give life to everything, and all the angels of heaven worship you.
The NLT Book of Nehemiah , Chapter 9 , Verse 6 , You alone are the LORD. You made the skies and the heavens and all the stars. You made the earth and the seas and everything in them. You preserve and give life to everything, and all the angels of heaven worship you.
9:7 'You are the LORD God, who chose Abram and brought him from Ur of the Chaldeans and renamed him Abraham.
The NLT Book of Nehemiah , Chapter 9 , Verse 7 , 'You are the LORD God, who chose Abram and brought him from Ur of the Chaldeans and renamed him Abraham.
9:8 When he had proved himself faithful, you made a covenant with him to give him and his descendants the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Jebusites, and Girgashites. And you have done what you promised, for you are always true to your word.
The NLT Book of Nehemiah , Chapter 9 , Verse 8 , When he had proved himself faithful, you made a covenant with him to give him and his descendants the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Jebusites, and Girgashites. And you have done what you promised, for you are always true to your word.
9:9 'You saw the sufferings and sorrows of our ancestors in Egypt, and you heard their cries from beside the Red Sea.
The NLT Book of Nehemiah , Chapter 9 , Verse 9 , 'You saw the sufferings and sorrows of our ancestors in Egypt, and you heard their cries from beside the Red Sea.
9:10 You displayed miraculous signs and wonders against Pharaoh, his servants, and all his people, for you knew how arrogantly the Egyptians were treating them. You have a glorious reputation that has never been forgotten.
The NLT Book of Nehemiah , Chapter 9 , Verse 10 , You displayed miraculous signs and wonders against Pharaoh, his servants, and all his people, for you knew how arrogantly the Egyptians were treating them. You have a glorious reputation that has never been forgotten.
9:11 You divided the sea for your people so they could walk through on dry land! And then you hurled their enemies into the depths of the sea. They sank like stones beneath the mighty waters.
The NLT Book of Nehemiah , Chapter 9 , Verse 11 , You divided the sea for your people so they could walk through on dry land! And then you hurled their enemies into the depths of the sea. They sank like stones beneath the mighty waters.
9:12 You led our ancestors by a pillar of cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at night so that they could find their way.
The NLT Book of Nehemiah , Chapter 9 , Verse 12 , You led our ancestors by a pillar of cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at night so that they could find their way.
9:13 'You came down on Mount Sinai and spoke to them from heaven. You gave them regulations and instructions that were just, and laws and commands that were true.
The NLT Book of Nehemiah , Chapter 9 , Verse 13 , 'You came down on Mount Sinai and spoke to them from heaven. You gave them regulations and instructions that were just, and laws and commands that were true.
9:14 You instructed them concerning the laws of your holy Sabbath. And you commanded them, through Moses your servant, to obey all your commands, laws, and instructions.
The NLT Book of Nehemiah , Chapter 9 , Verse 14 , You instructed them concerning the laws of your holy Sabbath. And you commanded them, through Moses your servant, to obey all your commands, laws, and instructions.
9:15 'You gave them bread from heaven when they were hungry and water from the rock when they were thirsty. You commanded them to go and take possession of the land you had sworn to give them.
The NLT Book of Nehemiah , Chapter 9 , Verse 15 , 'You gave them bread from heaven when they were hungry and water from the rock when they were thirsty. You commanded them to go and take possession of the land you had sworn to give them.
9:16 But our ancestors were a proud and stubborn lot, and they refused to obey your commands.
The NLT Book of Nehemiah , Chapter 9 , Verse 16 , But our ancestors were a proud and stubborn lot, and they refused to obey your commands.
9:17 'They refused to listen and did not remember the miracles you had done for them. Instead, they rebelled and appointed a leader to take them back to their slavery in Egypt! But you are a God of forgiveness, gracious and merciful, slow to become angry, and full of unfailing love and mercy. You did not abandon them,
The NLT Book of Nehemiah , Chapter 9 , Verse 17 , 'They refused to listen and did not remember the miracles you had done for them. Instead, they rebelled and appointed a leader to take them back to their slavery in Egypt! But you are a God of forgiveness, gracious and merciful, slow to become angry, and full of unfailing love and mercy. You did not abandon them,
9:18 even though they made an idol shaped like a calf and said, `This is your god who brought you out of Egypt!' They sinned and committed terrible blasphemies.
The NLT Book of Nehemiah , Chapter 9 , Verse 18 , even though they made an idol shaped like a calf and said, `This is your god who brought you out of Egypt!' They sinned and committed terrible blasphemies.
9:19 But in your great mercy you did not abandon them to die in the wilderness. The pillar of cloud still led them forward by day, and the pillar of fire showed them the way through the night.
The NLT Book of Nehemiah , Chapter 9 , Verse 19 , But in your great mercy you did not abandon them to die in the wilderness. The pillar of cloud still led them forward by day, and the pillar of fire showed them the way through the night.
9:20 You sent your good Spirit to instruct them, and you did not stop giving them bread from heaven or water for their thirst.
The NLT Book of Nehemiah , Chapter 9 , Verse 20 , You sent your good Spirit to instruct them, and you did not stop giving them bread from heaven or water for their thirst.
9:21 For forty years you sustained them in the wilderness. They lacked nothing in all that time. Their clothes did not wear out, and their feet did not swell!
The NLT Book of Nehemiah , Chapter 9 , Verse 21 , For forty years you sustained them in the wilderness. They lacked nothing in all that time. Their clothes did not wear out, and their feet did not swell!
9:22 'Then you helped our ancestors conquer great kingdoms and many nations, and you placed your people in every corner of the land. They completely took over the land of King Sihon of Heshbon and the land of King Og of Bashan.
The NLT Book of Nehemiah , Chapter 9 , Verse 22 , 'Then you helped our ancestors conquer great kingdoms and many nations, and you placed your people in every corner of the land. They completely took over the land of King Sihon of Heshbon and the land of King Og of Bashan.
9:23 You made their descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and brought them into the land you had promised to their ancestors.
The NLT Book of Nehemiah , Chapter 9 , Verse 23 , You made their descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and brought them into the land you had promised to their ancestors.
9:24 They went in and took possession of the land. You subdued whole nations before them. Even the kings and the Canaanites, who inhabited the land, were powerless! Your people could deal with them as they pleased.
The NLT Book of Nehemiah , Chapter 9 , Verse 24 , They went in and took possession of the land. You subdued whole nations before them. Even the kings and the Canaanites, who inhabited the land, were powerless! Your people could deal with them as they pleased.
9:25 Our ancestors captured fortified cities and fertile land. They took over houses full of good things, with cisterns already dug and vineyards and olive groves and orchards in abundance. So they ate until they were full and grew fat and enjoyed themselves in all your blessings.
The NLT Book of Nehemiah , Chapter 9 , Verse 25 , Our ancestors captured fortified cities and fertile land. They took over houses full of good things, with cisterns already dug and vineyards and olive groves and orchards in abundance. So they ate until they were full and grew fat and enjoyed themselves in all your blessings.
9:26 'But despite all this, they were disobedient and rebelled against you. They threw away your law, they killed the prophets who encouraged them to return to you, and they committed terrible blasphemies.
The NLT Book of Nehemiah , Chapter 9 , Verse 26 , 'But despite all this, they were disobedient and rebelled against you. They threw away your law, they killed the prophets who encouraged them to return to you, and they committed terrible blasphemies.
9:27 So you handed them over to their enemies. But in their time of trouble they cried to you, and you heard them from heaven. In great mercy, you sent them deliverers who rescued them from their enemies.
The NLT Book of Nehemiah , Chapter 9 , Verse 27 , So you handed them over to their enemies. But in their time of trouble they cried to you, and you heard them from heaven. In great mercy, you sent them deliverers who rescued them from their enemies.
9:28 'But when all was going well, your people turned to sin again, and once more you let their enemies conquer them. Yet whenever your people cried to you again for help, you listened once more from heaven. In your wonderful mercy, you rescued them repeatedly!
The NLT Book of Nehemiah , Chapter 9 , Verse 28 , 'But when all was going well, your people turned to sin again, and once more you let their enemies conquer them. Yet whenever your people cried to you again for help, you listened once more from heaven. In your wonderful mercy, you rescued them repeatedly!
9:29 You warned them to return to your law, but they became proud and obstinate and disobeyed your commands. They did not follow your regulations, by which people will find life if only they obey. They stubbornly turned their backs on you and refused to listen.
The NLT Book of Nehemiah , Chapter 9 , Verse 29 , You warned them to return to your law, but they became proud and obstinate and disobeyed your commands. They did not follow your regulations, by which people will find life if only they obey. They stubbornly turned their backs on you and refused to listen.
9:30 In your love, you were patient with them for many years. You sent your Spirit, who, through the prophets, warned them about their sins. But still they wouldn't listen! So once again you allowed the pagan inhabitants of the land to conquer them.
The NLT Book of Nehemiah , Chapter 9 , Verse 30 , In your love, you were patient with them for many years. You sent your Spirit, who, through the prophets, warned them about their sins. But still they wouldn't listen! So once again you allowed the pagan inhabitants of the land to conquer them.
9:31 But in your great mercy, you did not destroy them completely or abandon them forever. What a gracious and merciful God you are!
The NLT Book of Nehemiah , Chapter 9 , Verse 31 , But in your great mercy, you did not destroy them completely or abandon them forever. What a gracious and merciful God you are!
9:32 'And now, our God, the great and mighty and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of unfailing love, do not let all the hardships we have suffered be as nothing to you. Great trouble has come upon us and upon our kings and princes and priests and prophets and ancestors from the days when the kings of Assyria first triumphed over us until now.
The NLT Book of Nehemiah , Chapter 9 , Verse 32 , 'And now, our God, the great and mighty and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of unfailing love, do not let all the hardships we have suffered be as nothing to you. Great trouble has come upon us and upon our kings and princes and priests and prophets and ancestors from the days when the kings of Assyria first triumphed over us until now.
9:33 Every time you punished us you were being just. We have sinned greatly, and you gave us only what we deserved.
The NLT Book of Nehemiah , Chapter 9 , Verse 33 , Every time you punished us you were being just. We have sinned greatly, and you gave us only what we deserved.
9:34 Our kings, princes, priests, and ancestors did not obey your law or listen to your commands and solemn warnings.
The NLT Book of Nehemiah , Chapter 9 , Verse 34 , Our kings, princes, priests, and ancestors did not obey your law or listen to your commands and solemn warnings.
9:35 Even while they had their own kingdom, they did not serve you even though you showered your goodness on them. You gave them a large, fertile land, but they refused to turn from their wickedness.
The NLT Book of Nehemiah , Chapter 9 , Verse 35 , Even while they had their own kingdom, they did not serve you even though you showered your goodness on them. You gave them a large, fertile land, but they refused to turn from their wickedness.
9:36 'So now today we are slaves here in the land of plenty that you gave to our ancestors! We are slaves among all this abundance!
The NLT Book of Nehemiah , Chapter 9 , Verse 36 , 'So now today we are slaves here in the land of plenty that you gave to our ancestors! We are slaves among all this abundance!
9:37 The lush produce of this land piles up in the hands of the kings whom you have set over us because of our sins. They have power over us and our cattle. We serve them at their pleasure, and we are in great misery.
The NLT Book of Nehemiah , Chapter 9 , Verse 37 , The lush produce of this land piles up in the hands of the kings whom you have set over us because of our sins. They have power over us and our cattle. We serve them at their pleasure, and we are in great misery.
9:38 'Yet in spite of all this, we are making a solemn promise and putting it in writing. On this sealed document are the names of our princes and Levites and priests.'
The NLT Book of Nehemiah , Chapter 9 , Verse 38 , 'Yet in spite of all this, we are making a solemn promise and putting it in writing. On this sealed document are the names of our princes and Levites and priests.'
